Westbound I-80 Express Lane in Vacaville Opening as Temporary HOV Lane Ahead of Formal Launch in Late 2025

You asked and Caltrans is answering—the new westbound Interstate 80 (I-80) express lane between Vacaville and Fairfield will soon be open to California motorists as a temporary high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane.

If all goes according to plan, we expect to pull up the barriers and cones currently occupying the lane by mid-February. Here’s what you need to know about temporary access:

• Caltrans has made substantial progress on the express lane project, but the tolling equipment won’t be fully up and running until late 2025 at the earliest
• In the meantime, Caltrans will soon open the far-left lane on westbound I-80 between the I-505 interchange and Airbase Parkway to high-occupancy vehicles, better known as carpool vehicles, with two or more travelers during posted hours.
• Caltrans is currently in the final stages of installing HOV signage and striping the road. Once that is done, we will make a final announcement and open the temporary HOV lane.
• Once open, the lane will be available to vehicles with two or more people on board on weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Outside of those hours, the lane will be open to all
• Work to install tolling equipment will continue throughout this period, typically through overnight lane closures. As always, we ask motorists to please be mindful of their speed for the safety of our workers
• We expect to formally launch the completed express lane by late 2025. Until then, please enjoy the extra room on westbound Interstate 80 beginning in mid-February